Predator

48

The footsteps outside returned, still speaking Swahili, but now with a hint of confusion, "Sir, we didn't find your wallet in the tattoo shop on the street."

"Oh." Liam, behind a curtain, helped Amelia change out of her dress and back into men's clothing. "I must have been mistaken."

"Do you still want this dress?"

"Yes." A hand reached out from behind the curtain, holding some shillings.

"Do you need it wrapped up?"

"No."

He gripped the water-soaked dress in his hand, no longer just a beautiful sight through a shop window. He suddenly felt uncertain about how long he could keep her.

"Let's go."

The man had returned to his composed and elegant appearance.

The streets were bustling, and for the ten-minute walk back, Liam carried Amelia the entire way. They heard the loud noise of truck wheels screeching to a halt at the factory gate. Excited mercenaries swarmed out, climbing onto the truck and unloading crates filled with goods into the factory.

The organization received a shipment of firearms every month. S was responsible for inspecting and verifying the goods. From a distance, he saw Liam—

"Back already?"

Liam freed one hand to hand over the suitcase. "They want stronger goods over there."

"Not bad." S opened the case, his blue eyes scanning and counting the items.

"To get stronger goods, we'll need to use the little one we captured."

Amelia, nestled in Liam's arms, pondered the meaning of their conversation, peeking out with just her eyes, silently noting the license plate of the vehicle transporting the "goods."

"Now? Isn't that a bit rushed?" A deep furrow appeared on Liam's brow.

"Others are more desperate than we are." S glanced playfully at Amelia. "The client today wants to meet near the Grumeti River. You told them a week later?"

"That's too slow." S's mechanical prosthetic leg impatiently scraped back and forth on the ground. "The market's tightening up. Eyes are everywhere. Everyone wants to make a big score and run."

During the conversation, a dozen mercenaries were pushing Mike's iron cage out of the factory. The elephant lazily swished its tail, exposing its belly to enjoy a bit of sunlight. But it wasn't enough. It needed freedom and the company of its herd. Elephants and humans have similar lifespans, and strictly speaking, Mike was just a baby.

The three focused their gazes, and S's regretful voice broke the silence. "A week is too long. Three days."

Amelia looked up suddenly—

"This time, it's thanks to you, Amelia." He called her name in Italian, with a clumsy pronunciation.

The girl's nails dug into her palm, not fully understanding, and then suddenly a wad of money was shoved into her hand. "You deserve this."

The shillings were burning hot; she could barely hold them.

"Why..."

The man smiled. "It's the rule. You killed the elephant, sold its tusks, and you get a share. Liam used to take a lot of money from me."

"So, how about it? Welcome to the team."